Elk Hunting Chesapeake VA

Local resource for elk hunting in Chesapeake. Includes detailed information on local businesses that provide access to outfitters, deer hunts, deer hunting, big game hunts, big game hunting, elk hunts, hunting for game as well as advice and content on hunting game.

Elk Calling Tips

Author:

BigAl Wapiti

Bring them in on a string. I love this term, if you want to be successful on calling in Elk, try not to just sound like the other caller. We all laugh at each other when we are practicing Elk calling at home or while camping. When I first started calling in Elk, I had no idea what i was doing and it's funny how many I could call in. The biggest Bull that I have called in to date was actually my first. I was making cow calls and screwing it up big time. But it's obvious I didn't screw up at all, no two Elk sound the same and the Big Bulls have heard every call in the woods.

The best trick today for me, is to sound like more than one, so I carry a couple different cow calls and a basic bugle call. The idea is to sound like a small herd or satellite Bull that has snuck off with a couple of cows. Call in different directions and cover up the calls with your hand, be aggresive and don't be afraid of sounding bad. I have heard plenty of bugles from a Big Bull to where if he was in a bugle contest with other hunters around my campfires " he would of lost."...

Elk Hunting Basics - A Guide to Hunting and Calling Elk

Truly one of the most sporting species, from their guttural bugles to their aggressive rutting behaviors, elk are simply an awesome animal to hunt. If you've ever interacted with a dominant bull, you know what I'm talking about. When a bull screams within earshot, it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up! But not every individual will come in on a string. Finesse and strategy are the name of the game with elk. Know when to speak, when to keep quiet, and which call to use when and you're on your way to a close encounter. Call too much and you may as well head back to camp.

The essence of elk hunting can best be summed up as follows. Guiding a bowhunter from out east, we experienced what most would consider the epitome of elk hunting. In the heart of some of the finest old-growth mixed timber habitat around, we had our pick of several resident herds.

Things really got hot right at first light. Within a few minutes of leaving the truck our hike was abruptly interrupted by a shrill bugle. The bull was obviously worked up, so we took advantage. Setting up with the shooter 20 yards downwind, I began to cow call softly at first and then more aggressively. Moments later, a massive 6x6 crashed through the brush only to stop 18 yards away. Unfortunately there was no archery shot opportunity as the vitals were completely obscured by a tangle of leaves and branches. Long story short, the bull quickly realized his mistake and broke away to safer cover. Later on we called in a smaller bull with a dozen cows, but the real action took place the following day.

The next morning, I bugled at first light. While some elk hunters might employ a different strategy, I prefer to use a bugle only as a locator call. After my second bugle, we were greeted with an immediate response. Grinning and looking at my hunter, I wasted no time. Few words were required. We knew the game was on.

"There's your bull!" I declared with confidence. "You ready? We're gonna run at him as fast as possible, close the gap and set up when we think we've got him coming in on a string!"

Setting my bugle aside, I began to cow call every 30 seconds and we ran. As quickly as possible, we moved in. Intentionally snapping the odd branch, our intention was to sound like several cows eager to greet a potential suitor. After covering maybe 300 yards, we stopped and gave one last cow call to relocate the bull. To our surprise, the bull bugled not 100 yards away and sounded like he was moving in fast!

"Tuck yourself in under that spruce tree, nock an arrow and go to full draw as fast as you can", I instructed. "He's coming in fast and should step through those trees right there - he's in the mood, so get ready quick!"

No sooner had I crouched down, when I heard the unmistakable snap of a twig underfoot. There he was as big as life! A magnificent 6x6 that would likely score in the 300 inch B&C range was standing 12 yards from my hunter. Displaying a full lip curl, the bull was totally work...

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